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We are going to have to agree to disagree here. First look at how much they are paying him. next look at how little he plays. It just doesn't make sense to build around him. I mean look at it this way, if by chance they get good enough to compete for the playoffs or even in the playoffs, do you want their success to rest on this guy who is one hit away from out for 6 months? I wouldn't. But let's leave it at that. If Adams is still GM he obviously won't trade him because he will want to validate his own decisions.

At least Spartak is one of the richer teams in the KHL. Moscow based. A player experience closer to the NHL.

So he didn't report? Or just scratched?

Thank you for a list of random guys who missed games. But how many teams lost 4, 5 , 6 players top end players at the same time? Give me an example of a team like that that made the playoffs.

He's a role player. Every great team has role players that do the dirty work. On this current Sabres squad I see role players just nailing their roles and providing unexpected bonuses, like Beck's goal. When the Red Wings won their first Cup in 42 years, it wasn't Sergei Fedorov who scored the Cup clinching goal, it was Grind Line winger Darren McCarty, on a goal similar to Malenstyn's, similar to May Day. Playoff games are won by bangers like Brad May, Darren McCarty, and yes, Beck Malenstyn.

He did. He propped up the bottom six with improved players. He's got youth pushing up from Rochester, not because they don't have anyone else, but because they deserve their NHL shot, and they're making the most of it.

No, I grant the excuse. My dudes, you're looking at this all wrong. The Sabres have been playing through injuries most of the season and they're still at a .500 points percentage. And what's more, they climbed back to .500 and they still are playing through significant injuries. They're learning how to win without Norris, Kesselring and Kulich. Of course Kulich is only in the conversation because of Norris's injury, but he's been a top six C and he's out. And yet we have a center spine of Tage (really best at wing), McCleod (possibly best as a 3C), and Östlund, Kozak and Krebs in the bottom six. And... we're winning more than we're losing. I think the current roster *is* a playoff roster, and getting our centers back will make this an even more formidable squad. The injuries are not an excuse, they are an opportunity for players to show what they're made of, and for players like Kozak, Östlund, Rosén, to show what they are capable of, to show that they belong. And players like Kulich (although currently injured) and Quinn, they are getting the opportunity to demonstrate that they can be contributing stars on this team. I love Tage and Tuch and Dahlin, but this team is making a playoff push and it's the AHL subs and the role players that are making it happen. To be honest, I'm kind of geeked up about this team.

4th line player or not, to me Malenstyn will be just as big an asset as any 2nd or 3rd line player on this team IF we were to make the playoffs, not because of the beautiful goal he scored the other night but because he dishes out punishment with his hits. He is one of the very few Sabres who doesn't just bump into the opposition, he skates hard and fast directly into them and smacks them with authority and does it with no fear. In a playoff situation give me Malenstyn over a few of the under producing supposedly elite players on this team. I love when he is on the ice.

Beane has been HORRID as far as #1 picks go! Elam and now possibly Coleman being busts? He should be Drawn & Quarterd just for not providing a WR1 for Josh alone!

The best reaction by Ray to a goal: EEEEEYAAAAHHHHHHH!!

Figured it out. My subscription has Hulu+Live TV. That’s where the extra cost is.

I’d trade Peterka straight up for Doan. Doan’s all around game and culture/leadership/ whatever you want to call it is more important to the Sabres team than Peterka’s offense. Add in a healthy (at some point) Kesselring and I think it will be a very good trade for Buffalo long term.

Maybe an excuse is the wrong term. Simply, it's just the reason why they were losing. People get so wrapped up in "no excuses" that they ignore the reality.

It is very early. Doan has only played 22 games for the Sabres, and has yet to play a full season for his career. With that said it might not be too far off-base to say that the Sabres traded away the more 'skilled player', but thus far have received back an equal 'hockey player', especially considering the particular needs of this roster.

No doubt, Norris caliber D are tough to replace. And didn't intend the post to imply that Adams (or his successor) needs to be looking for a guy(s) to replace him when he's out. Thought it was pretty clear that it was saying they need to get more Zuckers (who are absolutely available) and more Bensons (not necessarily so available) and Doans (who has been a model of health this year, but those guys, especially before they've become established, do become available a bit more frequently). And considering more than a decade later the Sabres are STILL trying to replace Miller; would say stud goalie is the hardest position to replace.

Nope, sorry not going to work anymore. Kevin Adams should have surrounded the team with better players to offset those injuries. He had plenty of time.

No, I grant the excuse.

Sabres don't get the luxury of that excuse. The are not allowed excuses, only results.

In many cases it is true: -McDavid missed a bunch of games last year. In addition to those guys (at one point Edmonton had Draisaitl, Hopkins, Kane, Hyman, Ekholm and others out at the same time last year https://thehockeywriters.com/oilers-have-mishandled-their-injuries-2024-25/) -Eichel missed a bunch of games his first 2 years with Vegas (and we know about the Mark Stone time missed due to injury) -Last year Ottawa finally made the playoffs despite multi game injuries to both of their goalies, Nick Cousens, Perron, Pinto, and Tkachuk. -New Jersey made it back to the playoffs last year with Jack Hughes, Hischier, Luke Hughes, and both goaltenders missing multiple games due to injury. -Ovi was on a 50 goal pace and missed almost 20 games last year -Heiskanen missed about 1/3 of the season last year. Lundkvist and Dumba also missed time on their blueline, with Hintz, Marchment, Bourque and Seguin missing multiple games up front. -Over the last few years, Matthews in Toronto has missed some games (and played through injuries) across several seasons. All made the playoffs, some finishing very high in the standings. I'm sure there are other examples. I know at points the Leafs had Matthews out or playing hurt with other guys out at the same time.

We must not trade Power. In 2 years when he turns 25 he will be dominant i would try to trade Byram

Is this true in every case or are you assuming?

Interesting data and your analysis of it was very helpful. This is a multi Cup Post!

Has anyone else in here ever stood by Bourque’s table at a bar chanting “May day”? The place was too loud and I doubt he heard me, but in my mind I could see a single tear drop running down his cheek.

@Taro T, personally I think stud defenseman is the hardest position to replace. Right from the start, it’s a simple numbers game, being down 1 of 6 skaters vs 1 of 12. He’s out there for around 6 more minutes a game than any of the forwards. Id love to see similar stats on the other elite defenseman… if they’ve missed more than a handful of games. I’m guessing the drop off is very noticeable, maybe to a lesser extent with Makar.

True, and that Borque was an all-time D-man while Aho is a forward.